Was Supernatural wrong to use this one line in Unfinished Business?
Supernatural Season 13, Episode 20 certainly had its faults. The biggest was likely the use of one line when Kevin explained his motivations.
The last few weeks have had some elements missing from the writing in Supernatural Season 13. Episode 20 took the biscuit when it came to on particular line. It was something that made it very clear there was little respect for a certain actor.
Before I go into this, I will share that there are spoilers from “Unfinished Business.” If you’re still not caught up, you’ll likely want to skip this post.
The one line I’m referring to came up in the Apocalypse World. As Kevin explained his motivations, he shared something that Michael had told him. If it sounded familiar, that’s not surprising.
“When I lose, I win”
More from Supernatural
- Jensen Ackles and The Winchesters cast kick off #SaveTheWinchesters campaign
- Will The Winchesters be saved? (Can Supernatural fans save the prequel?)
- Did The Winchesters get renewed? (Is The Winchesters season 2 happening?)
- Is a new episode of The Winchesters on tonight? (March 14, 2023)
- The Winchesters Season1 finale explained: Did it connect to Supernatural?
Okay, that wasn’t the line from Kevin, but it is the line you will have likely thought of. JUst before blowing himself up, Kevin tells Mary and Jack that Michael “wants to break you. He said for me to tell you that even if you win, you still lose.”
Many fans (including yours truly) took to Twitter instantly with a comment. That was Crowley’s line. At least, it was supposed to be.
When Mark Sheppard left, he wanted Crowley’s last line to be something along the lines of “when I lose, I win.” The Supernatural writers simple turned it around slightly and had Kevin say it. What could have been an interesting line has been overshadowed by the fact that the showrunners didn’t keep Crowley’s last line in when he exited last season.
// "even if you win, you still lose"
— King Crowley (@TrueKingOfHell) April 27, 2018
REALLY? REALLY? ARE YOU FUCKING KIDDING ME, DABB? YOU'RE GONNA HAVE A PLAY ON WORDS THAT MARK WANTED AS CROWLEY'S LAST WORDS AND YOU DIDN'T LET HIM HAVE THEM?! NOW YOU'RE GONNA RECYCLE IT AND USE IT!?
Fuck you, Dabb. // #Supernatural
It was an insult to Crowley and an insult to Sheppard. It was certainly wrong to use it in “Unfinished Business.”
What doesn’t help is that it comes off the back of a character being brought back just to be killed off. It also comes off the back of some questionable writing to make Gabriel a victim and gain sympathy from Sam without bringing up the realities of the past.
Next: 6 best lines from Supernatural Season 13, Episode 20
Do you think it was a bad call to use the line? Should Kevin have said something else to show the realities of Michael’s plans? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
Supernatural Season 13 continues on Thursday at 8/7c on The CW. Like SPN Hunters on Facebook for more op-eds and features on the series.